MODEL MAKER

MODEL SETUP
1. Open DTM :
a) Double click .tot file to open
NB! The ground profile i.e. DTM is always imported to project sheet 1, working will be
done on the other layers (any of them except layer 1)
2. Import CAD:
a) File>Import>DWG/DXF/DGN
b) Load> (Select the .dwg file you would like to load)
NB! You must prepare the CAD for import beforehand (see below). In the import menudo
not tick any of the tick boxes unless the drawing arcs are loading in the opposite
direction. If so tick the invert arcs box.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How to prepare CAD for Import:
1. Check that the CAD drawing has been re-co-ordinated for MM import
o i.e. change the ACAD co-ordinates to match the survey grid lines, where;
X & Y are positive (+); & X is the larger number (Note; CAD is the opposite)
Example;
Model Maker Import Co-ordinates
X: + 2827600
Y: + 79000

AutoCAD Original Co-ordinates

X: - 79000
Y: - 2827600

2. Make sure you clear all unnecessary layers and lines (i.e. everything except the
pipelines you are working with). This is because MM will crash
CAD Design Notes:
o

For Bulk Earthworks you want to have Cadlines drawn where you are
specifying the level e.g. The edge of the BE platform, base of a trench etc.
MM can only build up create the fill or the cut from ground to your specified
BE platform
For Pipelines you want to have Cadlines drawn at the centre of the pipe in
plan, with all changes of direction and key points (e.g. start of pipe, end of
pipe, tie-ins, road crossings etc.) indicated by a circle. These circled points
are where Pipe Maker will create manholes and provide information (i.e.
invert level, pipe depth

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PEPARING STRINGS FOR EXPORT OF PIPELINES TO PIPE MAKER

1. Draw in the strings
Note: A string is a line in plan which has elevation assigned to it along its length (e.g. a crosssection). It is the same as a line clamped to ground on Google Earth
a) A string is identified by the symbol abbreviation gXt in MM. Click on the string button
in the object menu left menu, then follow the directions below on the object submenu bottom menu;
Add>New
The menu below will be brought up. Set the sheet up in the same way. However you can
change the name of the string and labelling of the nodes etc. to make it easier to identify.
> Click Indicate to start identifying the string

b) Set the object snap to the centre of a circle

c) Click on each circle imported with the cad previously and draw in the string beginning
upstream at the first node and working your way down
d) Right click when done(note right clicking ends most processes)
e) Repeat this for as many pipes as you want to show and work with in Pipe Maker

2. Save strings or pipelines so that they can be imported into PM

a) Click, File> Save
o Specify the path
o Select the KCS/string box and enter the name of the file in the bar at the top
which will have the path written in it (clear this and name the file you are
saving)
Click, save selection and you are done.
This will save the file with the extension .KCS which can be opened with PM
3. Save and close/minimise Model Maker
a) Click, File> Save all (this saves everything {.tot, cad, strings etc.} as one combined model
called a .mal file ,which you can open again at later stage and edit where you left off)
NB! Model maker does not have an undo button, save .mal files regularly with new names e.g.
Mod1to3pipelines 1.mal, Mod1to3pipelines 2.mal etc. so you can backtrack errors.
Since there is no undo, you will have to delete your mistake and redo the work. This can be done by
selecting the object you are working with in the left menu and then delete or clear using the object
sub-menu at the bottom (note, pressing Esc navigates backward through the sub-menu)

PIPE MAKER
Pipe maker is very easy to use as there are not many options. There is the main menu at the top and
the editor menu at the bottom. The view menu is the same as MM and you will have to click redraw
to see any changes you make.
1. load the same .tot file used in MM at the beginning
a) File> Load Dtm model > NGL > Tick load old .tot file ( the 2014 versions now name .tot,
.bot but rooiwal survey is a .tot file)
When this is done a green outline of the site should be visble in the model space to tell you it
has been loaded. It will disappear once you move the pointer or click the mouse.
2. Import the .kcs file you saved from MM
a) File> Import > MMstring (.KCS)
This will bring up the following design defaults menu

Set up as above for now, this can be changed at any time

o
o

Click Ok, then select the .KCS file you saved earlier and tick the sewer and use as
horizontal alignment only boxes.
Click load .KCS only (not if the design defaults menu comes up again, just click ok)

Adjust view

Layer visibility menu

Main menu

Active project sheet

Snap Mode

Object Menu

Project Display

Left Menu

Object sub-menu (depending on what is

selected on the working menu) bottom
menu

Cursor Co-ordinates